Review improves welfare of live exports

 The Department of Agriculture report says since it began in 2011 the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) has improved the welfare of exported animals.

ESCAS requires exporters to have commercial arrangements with supply chain partners to provide humane treatment and handling of livestock from arrival in the importing country to the point of slaughter.

Animal handling and slaughter at the destination must meet World Organisation for Animal Health standards and exporters must have control of all supply chain arrangements for livestock transport, management and slaughter. All livestock has to remain in the supply chain and the exporter must be able to trace or account for all of them.

The scheme is in response to public anger about the mistreatment of animals on their arrival in Middle East and Southeast Asian destinations.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce says the live animal export trade is essential to the livelihoods of thousands of Australians and underpins the economies of many communities. “In short it is essential for our nation,” he says.

Australia is the world’s second-largest exporter of live sheep and the fifth-largest exporter of live cattle. 

Joyce says ESCAS began Australia has exported eight million livestock to 18 countries in 1139 consignments with only 22 incidents of animal welfare concern. “In light of this, government and industry are working together to open new export markets and to improve market access for Australian livestock to existing markets.”

The emphasis now, he says, is on the continuity of supply, “and this government has worked hard to repair the damage done by the previous (Labour) government to our international reputation as a reliable supplier.”

However, Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals chief executive Heather Neil says ESCAS has set a low bar and does not prevent Australian exported animals suffering.

The report says government and industry are working with trading partners to enhance animal handling and husbandry skills and improve animal welfare outcomes – training 7000 people to date.

 “Industry is helping to upgrade facilities to meet international animal welfare standards and our commitment to this work is ongoing,” Joyce says.

 In 2013–14 live exports earned A$1.24bn and represented 7% (live cattle) and 6% (live sheep) of total turnover in their respective industries.

Up to 10,000 are people involved directly and indirectly in the industry.